Sunday, November 8, 2015

Kharghar Hills

The Kharghar hills bring a huge amount of rainwater, which is directed into the creek through the node as well as the Central Park area. Kharghar Hill is a perfect spot in Navi Mumbai for a jog, morning walk or evening stroll. It has a 5.5 km appx tar road up to last village in Kharghar hill. Hill can be accessed in two ways, via the tar road entrance or by trekking from behind the golf course. Pandavkada Waterfalls is close to Kharghar Hills.

 Only village people are allowed to take cars up to the top.

 Rock cut routes in Kharghar Hills
 Its a long walk till the end and back so be sure to carry your water. One can trek to skip time via golf course route.

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Pandavkada Waterfalls, Kharghar

Pandavkada waterfall or Pandavgad falls is a plunge type waterfall attaining a drop of 107m ranking 29th in India in terms of height. Pandavkada gets its name as it is believed that Pandavas during their exile journey stayed here. There is a small cave behind the falls. There are two falls at Pandavkada situated side by side. One is the main one which is 107m straight fall and other is a three stage waterfall known as Nangrya situated on the left side of main fall. The water pool of the fall is not very deep when water level or waterfall is low. But it gets life threatening deep when there is heavy rain and torment of water gush down from top. The waterfalls pounds the rocks beneath. During heavy rain if someone goes under it, its impossible to come out. Pandavkada waterfalls is a very beautiful and picturesque waterfall and only one of its own kind near Mumbai. 

Pandavkada Main Waterfall
 Cave behind Pandavkada waterfall
Cave behind Pandavkada waterfall
 This beautiful looking calm and serene plunge pool of Pandavkada waterfalls goes to killing mode during heavy rains.
The rocky plunge pool of Pandavkada Waterfalls.
 Pandav Kada main fall at right and its sister fall Nangrya on the left
Pandavkada waterfall at its top. There is not a reservoir at the top but series of river joining to form a main stream which forms the 107m drop.
 On the way to Pandavkada waterfalls one can find beautiful picturesque hills.
Pandavkada is indeed a beautiful place for a day outing but recently there is some excavation activity going on on its entrance where heavy machinery are being used and the grounds are being dug. Pandavkada place has to be reserved and the hills need to be protected from such activities.


KEY POINTS

1) Roads are well connected and nearest rail station is Kharghar and Taloja.
2) Parking space available on the side lines of main road near Gurudwara.
3) The falls are being guarded by forest officials which take a round in between time mainly during heavy falls.
4) Please do not write anything on the cave walls or dirty the falls and its pool waters.
5) Four wheelers and two wheelers can go upto the base of the falls. 
6) Keep nature clean.


Monday, January 5, 2015

Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary

Tungareshwar forest or Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest with vast species of flora and fauna and a part of National Park, Mumbai. Also there is a small Fort. It comes under the region of Thane with a notified area of 85.7 sq km. Tungareshwar highest point is about 660 meters above sea level. Tungareshwar is famous for its waterfalls and rivers as well as different type of animal, insects, flowers. Chinchoti waterfall is located inside this sanctuary.

Tar road is available till the end of Sativali village and from there it is off road. There is a check post and the entry of Tungareshwar hill. One can get down and walk or can take their private vehicle till the Tungareshwar temple.

Tungareshwar temple is a Shiva temple situated aside a river at base of TWS.

 Road towards Tungareshwar Temple

Tungareshwar Temple

 Tungareshwar temple point
 Food stalls in Tungareshwar
 Tungareshwar Temple


Tungareshwar Plateau

One can walk up to the highest point of Tungareshwar Hill which is called Tungareshwar Plateau or Tungareshwar Top. It is a table land with arid vegetation like cactus. Plateau terrain is full rocky and treacherous. It is an alienated place with vast view of open sky. Once in Tungareshwar top one would not know that it is a hill. Plateau is spread across to a great extent.

 Tungareshwar Plateau which is highest point about 660 meters above sea level of this Wildlife Sanctuary. The road marks can be seen as a sign of encroachment.

 Arid vegetation on Tungareshwar Plateau.

TWS View Point

TWS view point can also be called as windy point since considerable amount of wind blows here. Situated at a height of 590 meters above sea level offers a majestic view of Tansa river and Nalasopara and Thane district. 
Below is the photo of Tansa river from TWS view point.

TUNGARESHWAR FORT

 There is a small fort, Tungareshwar Fort. There are small kunds (Water hole).
 Tungareshwar Fort

 Water hole or Kund (Pashuram Kund)


HOW TO REACH

1) Sativali is the base village and is accessible from NH8.
2) Tar road available till end of Sativali Borivali Ntional Park check post.
3) One can board rickshaw from this check post or can continue the off road in ones private vehicle or walk down.

DISTANCES

Temple is 2.5 km from checkpost
Tungareshwar Top is 10 km from checkpost
TWS View Point is 11 km from checkpost

ROADS

Construction of roads and structures inside protected Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is not allowed. Since the roads are illegally being widened and constructed inside you will not find a good tar motorable road insode. Heavy duty vehicles and jeeps can be easily driven. Small cars can be driven too but slowly. Driving not recommended in monsoon.




SAVE TUNGARESHWAR

Tungareshwar forest are in danger due to the massive illegal road widening and constructions carried out by sadanand ashram trustees located at top of the hill. 
Trees are being cut and landslides have increased inside TWS due to illegal road constructions.
Flora and Fauna are getting affected by such activities
Please read the following articles: